Iron Tiger Self Defense
Intro to Self Defense Curriculum
Every strike, block, escape and defense taught in our program, organized from fundamentals to advanced situations. Use this page as a study guide between classes and always practice with a qualified instructor and a cooperative partner.
Curriculum at a Glance
Situational Awareness
Strikes and Movement
Blocking Systems
Double Lapel/Grab Defense
Single Lapel/Grab Defense
Escapes and Holds
Weapons Defense
Back Choke
Ground Attack Mount
Situational Awareness
The best defense starts before contact. Stay alert to your surroundings, notice exits, keep a safe distance, and avoid confrontation whenever possible. Every technique that follows is a last resort — create an opening, then get away.
Strikes and Movement
Strikes
- Thrust punch
- Front punch
- Tiger claw
- Hammer strike
- Elbows
- Palm strikes
Kicks
- Front ball kick
- Front instep kick
- Side kick
- Back kick
Stances
- Horse stance
- Fighting stance
Steps and Movements
- Shuffle side
- Cat stance
- Half moon
- Side step
Block Systems
8 Point
- 1 and 2 right and left circles
- 3 and 4 forearm across the face
- 5 and 6 overhead
- 7 and 8 swipe down
Iron Tiger Blocking
- 1 Â and 2 perry across face
- 3 and 4 Â overhead
- 5 Â and 6 perry down
Double Lapel/Grab Defense
Hungry Tiger
Close Range
- Kick shin (distract) left leg then step left foot forward
- Tiger palms ears (optional)
- Bring both hands to face of attacker thumbs into eyes while fingers hold head
- Drive back/elbows
- Run
Rams Horns
Close Range
- Box step while raising right arm up
- Bring rising arm down on forearms of attacker
- Elbow to gut, then elbow to attacker’s chin
- Run
Whispering Tiger
Close Range
- One hand through right arm gap
- Meet up with other hand pull down
- Step back while braking grip
- Elbow and knee
- Head down elbow
Leopards Storm
Close Range
- Double palms to the gut
- Palms to ears
Dragon Smoke
About to Grab Lapel
- Double block (1 and 2)
- Double palms to nose
- Side step and kick to knee
- Run
Broken Wall
Close Range (Immortal Man Alternative)
- Thrust punch to gut right hand
- Right foot planted, left foot to side stance
- Right hand palm to chin push up and drive
- Kick cross and cover
Crane Stretch
- Box step while raising right arm up
- Bring rising arm down on forearms of attached
- Right side kick cross and cover
- Run
Mid Range
Single Lapel/Grab Defense
Broken Leopards Paw
Mid Range
- Hold hand that is grabbing lapel
- Palm strikes
- Wrist snap
- Run
Mantis Clinch
- Right and left claw grab wrists (if around neck)
- Spread apart
Buddha’s Hammer Rams Head
Close Range
- Box step while raising right arm up
- Bring rising arm down on forearms of attached
- Elbow to gut, then elbow to attacker’s chin
- Run
Buddha’s Hammer Crane Stomp
Mid Range
- Box step while raising right arm up
- Bring rising arm down on forearms of attached
- Elbow to gut, then elbow to attacker’s chin
- Run
Escapes and Holds
Dragon’s Dance
About to Grab Lapel
- Side step to right
- Side kick to knee
- Run
Spreading Eagle’s Wings
Double Wrist Grab
- Hands and fingers pointed down
- Circle motion
- Double palms
- Step back and run
Mantis Lock
Double Lapel
- Fold forearms over attackers forearms
- Press forearms to body and sink down
Snapping Branches
Double or Single Choke
- Left hand comes through gap
- Both hands clasp and come down on one arm
- Step back and run
Dragon’s Wind
Single or Double JuJitsu Wrist Escape
- Box step
- Grab hand(s)
- Box step back to start position
- Push hand(s) toward attacker
Cobra’s Tale
Single Wrist Grab Escape from Behind
- Right hand behind back – plant right foot turn right while circle wrist
- Left hand behind back – plant left foot turn left while circling wrist
Crane Takes Flight
Both Hands Behind Back
- Step back with right foot slightly
- Pull both hands forward
Dragon’s Whip
Hair or Neck
- Pivot left
- Left reverse hammer groin
- Kick
- Run
Dragon’s Tail
- Plant right foot
- Pivot toward attacker
- Reverse hammer to groin and face
Dragon’s Door
Left Hand Grab
- Box step (right foot to left foot step)
- Hold lapel
- Block 4
Head Lock Escape
- Left leg behind right, left of attacker
- Left hand over shoulder
- Grab face and push back
- Punch to face
Weapons Defense
Train weapons defenses only with training weapons and under instructor supervision.
Club/Knife Overhead Defense
Krav Maga
- Block number 4, drive thrust punch to chin
Side Club/Knife Defense
Krav Maga
- Step to striking arm (armpit), hands extended and pointed over attacker’s armpit
- Locked arm
- Knee
- Grab club
Combo 5 and 22
- Above
Overhead Strike
- Block 6
- Thrust punch to chin
Side Club/Knife Defense
Crane (Combo 5)
- Right hand crane’s head down / left hand knife blade
- Step with left while blocking at same time (hands above)
- Side kick
- Cross and cover
Side Club/Knife Defense
Belt
- Hold belt vertical
- Step to outside of knife attack
- Deflect knife
- Wrap belt around attacker’s neck
- Twist and throw attacker over shoulder
Straight Knife Defense
Crane
- Step back into a cat stance
- Double palms down to stop weapon attack
- Cross knife strike to neck followed by double claws to face
Back Choke
Ground Attack Mount
Cranes Fortitude
- Clasp hands
- Place on forehead
- Push back
Wildcat
- Elbows
- Feet stomp
- Bicycle kick
- Run
Mantis Sweep
Neck
- On back
- Elbow extends over wrists/forearm strike
- Guard opens double palms/tiger claws
Lying Tiger
Neck
- Thumbs and claws to face
- Raise hips and knees
- Twist